July 23 (Bloomberg) -- General Dynamics Corp., the largest maker of armored vehicles for the U.S. military, said second- quarter earnings rose 25 percent as the Iraq war lifted sales of blast-proof trucks to protect troops from roadside bombs. The company raised its full-year profit forecast.

Net income increased to $641 million, or $1.60 a share, from $513 million, or $1.26, a year earlier, the Falls Church, Virginia-based company said in a statement today sent on PR Newswire. Sales climbed 11 percent to $7.3 billion, aided by increased deliveries of Gulfstream business jets.

The average of 17 analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg was for earnings of $1.44 a share. Analysts projected sales to rise to $7.23 billion, from $6.59 billion.

To contact the reporter on this story: Edmond Lococo in Boston at elococo@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: July 23, 2008 07:38 EDT